Choosing the right spinning reel depends on the fishing rod that you’re planning to use it with and your fishing location, as well as the type of fish you’re targeting. One of the most critical factors to consider is to understand the different spinning reel sizes, so the fishing rod feels more balanced for easier and more accurate casting.
Being confused about the right spinning reel size is more common than you think. In this article, we’ll explain the different sizes of spinning reels and what they’re used for.
Choosing the Right Spinning Reel Sizes
When you are shopping for spinning reels, you’ll find that they’re numbered according to a special guide. Spinning reel sizes are set on a numbering system, and this does differ from brand to brand. Some models are numbered as 1000, 2000, and 3000, while others are numbered as 10, 20, and 30.
These numbering methods differ according to the manufacturer. The numbers can be pretty similar, the reels can be of a size 20 or 2000, but these 2 numbers can be used to refer to the same size.
Picking the right spinning reel sizes depends on where you’re more likely going to be fishing and your target species. The reel that works for fishing in a lake won’t work as well for rock fishing. You should also think about the fish that you want to target while angling.
Spinning Reel Sizes
Reels can be classified into three main categories.
Small Spinning Reels
Size: 1000 or 10
These are the smallest spinning reels on the market. They’re suitable for light fishing in rivers, lakes, bays, and harbors. Most beginners and first-time anglers choose small-sized spinning reels because they’re easy to maneuver and control. If you’re targeting trout or bream, these reels will work for you.
Choose a short and lightweight fishing rod to go with this reel. A 6-7 foot rod will work best. For a monoline, you can choose a weight between 2 and 4 pounds. You can also choose a braided line with a weight between 4 and 8 pounds.
Size: 2000 or 20
A size 2000 (or 20) reel is slightly bigger and are also suitable for light angling activities in rivers and lakes. They work for shorter fishing rods that measure between 6 and 7 feet. You can choose a monoline with a weight between 4 and 6 pounds or a braided line with a weight between 5 and 10 pounds.
If you’re a beginner angler, you can switch between 10 and 20 spinning reels to catch bream, trout, and other smaller fish like bass, flathead, and whiting.
Some anglers switch between the 2000 and 2500 reels. They work for the same fish types, but the monoline weight should be between 5 and 8 pounds, while a braided line weight should be between 5 and 12 pounds.
Size: 3000 or 30
These small fishing reels work for light fishing in lakes, rivers, creeks, and bays to target fish types like mangrove jack and bream. You can use these reels with several fishing rods that measure between 6 feet to 7 feet and 6 inches. You can also use the reels with longer rods which measure between 9 and 10 feet.
When you’re picking a monoline for the 3000 reels, you need to pick a line weight between 6 and 10 pounds. The braided line weight should be between 6 and 14 pounds.
There are also 3500 or 35 reels that work for the same angling purposes. You can be match this size reel with 10 feet fishing rods if you’re chasing whiting or blackfish.
Medium Spinning Reels – The Most Common of the Spinning Reel Sizes
Size: 4000 or 40
Medium-sized reels are suitable for lakes, bays, and light offshore boat fishing to catch slightly bigger fish breeds. You can use this size of fishing reel to catch cod, bonefish, barramundi, drummer, big trout, and snapper.
They’re quite versatile, so you can use these sized reel with rods that measure between 6 and 7 feet or longer rods that measure between 8 and 10 feet. The monoline weight should be between 8 and 12 pounds, while the braided line weight should be between 8 and 20 pounds.
Size: 5000 or 50
If you’re targeting bigger snapper, morwong, or codfish, these slightly bigger reels will work for you. They can be used with several lengths of fishing rods that measure between 6 and 11 feet, depending on the type of fish you’re targeting.
The monoline should have a weight between 10 and 14 pounds, while a braided line should have a weight between 10 and 25 pounds. You should study the fish in the area to pick the most appropriate line.
In the same category, you can find 4500 or 45 spinning reels, as well as 5500 or 55 spinning reels. They are used to target bigger snapper, cod, and mulloway fish and can be paired with various lengths of fishing rods that measure between 8 and 11 feet, depending on the location you’ve picked for angling.
Large Spinning Reels
Size: 6000 or 60
More experienced anglers use large spinning reel sizes for boat fishing, beach, or rock fishing. Larger spinning reels are suitable for targeting a bigger snapper and cod, as well as kingfish and samson fish.
You can pair this bigger spinning reel with a boat fishing rod that measures between 5 and 8 feet or a rock fishing rod that measures 10 feet. You would be pair this reel with a monoline that weighs between 12 and 16 pounds or a braided line that weighs between 12 and 30 pounds.
Size 7000 or 70
If your target fish is a big snapper, mulloway, grouper, or Australian salmon, this spinning reel size will work for you. Most anglers pick this size for beach and rock fishing activities.
This size of spinning reel is suitable for beach rods that measure between 10 and 12 feet, as well as 9 feet general purpose fishing rods. We would suggest a weight for the monoline should be between 14 and 18 pounds, while the suggested weight for the braided line should be between 15 and 40 pounds.
This category of spinning reels also includes reels of sizes 8000 or 80 and 10000 or 10. These reels will work in ocean boat fishing to target big fish like grouper and mulloway. You can use 10000 spinning reel can be used to catch small sharks, large mackerel, mahi-mahi, and small tuna fish.
Extra Large Spinning Reels
If you’re a more experienced angler, you can pick a larger spinning reel that measures 12000, 14000, or 16000. A 12000 reel can be used to catch small sharks, larger mackerel, and tuna while pairing it with a boat-based boat fishing rod. A 14000 reel is best matched with a 12 feet beach rod or a heavy-duty 8 feet boat rod. In this instance, the weight of the suggested braided line should be more than 30 pounds.
You can choose a bigger spinning reel that measures 18000, 20000, or 25000. These larger spinning reels work for boat, beach, and rock fishing to catch large mackerel, sharks, and larger tuna.
Spinning reels that measure 30000 can be used for boat fishing. If you are a more experienced boat fishermen and look for the biggest fish in the water (big game fish) you would use an extra large spinning reel.
Tips for Caring For Your Fishing Reel
After picking the right spinning reel, you need to maintain it to keep it in good condition, so it can be used for a long time. Here are a few tips to help you take care of your spinning reel.
Give your spinning reel a good rinse using fresh, clean water, especially after fishing in saltwater, dirty freshwater, or brackish water.
At the end of the season, remove the spool and handle and oil the moving parts to guarantee better performance.
Examine all the screws on the reel. After some time, some of them might get loose, so you need to tighten them periodically.
Avoid using harsh chemicals like acetone to clean your spinning reel, as it can damage the plastic parts.
Wrap Up
Spinning reels come in various sizes to work for different fishing purposes. You can use a small-sized spinning reel if you’re a beginner angler targeting small-sized fish. For example, using a larger spinning reel you can use heavier tackle and they can be used for boat fishing. You should clean your spinning reel after each use and oil the parts to keep your reel functioning.